Calling all readers! International Literacy Day is Sept. 8, and a big event is planned to celebrate reading — reading out loud.
The Creston branch of the Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy (CBAL) is sponsoring the Big Read at the Snoring Sasquatch with an open mike format, and inviting readers to participate with three-minute spots (just under 400 words) from their favourite writings.
Readers are invited to entertain, inform, educate or just make us laugh or cry. Music or props can be incorporated. Use the imagination, as long as it’s tasteful.
Celebrity readers include Creston Mayor Ron Toyota, Lower Kootenay Band Chief Jason Louie, Creston Valley Public Library chief librarian Aaron Francis, Creston Valley Chamber of Commerce executive director Jim Jacobsen, Community Futures business counsellor Alison Bjorkman and Creston Museum manager Tammy Hardwick. The Creston Community Literacy Award will also be presented at this event.
This all-ages event is free, but donations will be accepted for the Teen Action Committee (TAC), who will be helping out in various roles, including taking photos and videos. The TAC holds its meetings twice a week at the Snoring Sasquatch.
With this event, CBAL is joining the provincewide campaign to celebrate September as Literacy Month. CBAL is a registered non-profit whose purpose is to promote literacy and life-long learning in the Columbia Basin.
The Big Read starts at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 8 (doors open at 6) at the Snoring Sasquatch. To reserve a spot, contact Joan Hedstrom at jhedstrom@cbal.org or 250-435-0388 or Signe Miller at kenandsigne@gmail.com or 250-428-9584.
—COLUMBIA BASIN ALLIANCE FOR LITERACY